Awesome festivals around the world

From religion to music to beer, September is big month for festivals around the world. Here's a look:

September 21, 2013 10:34 AM

Photo: Arun Sankar K./AP

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French pilot and migratory bird protector Christian Moulec performs an ultra-light flight during the 40th Icare Cup paragliding festival in Saint Hilaire du Touvet, French Alps, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The "Coupe Icare," dedicated to free flight, orchestrates all the various types of flying such as hang gliding, paragliding and acrobatic sailplaning. less

People ride a swing in front of the St. Paul's church at the opening day of the Bavarian Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The world's largest beer festival, held Sept. 21-Oct. 6, is expected to attract more than six million guests from around the world. less

People ride a swing in front of the St. Paul's church at the opening day of the Bavarian Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The world's largest beer festival, held Sept. 21-Oct. 6, ... more

Photo: Matthias Schrader, ASSOCIATED PRESS

People ride a swing in front of the St. Paul's church at the... Photo-5244213.70959 - SFGate

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Revelers celebrate the opening ceremony in the "Hofbraeuzelt' beer tent of the 180th Bavarian Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The world's largest beer festival, to held from Sept. 21- Oct. 6, is expected to attract more than six million guests from around the world. less

Revelers celebrate the opening ceremony in the "Hofbraeuzelt' beer tent of the 180th Bavarian Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The world's largest beer festival, to held from ... more

Burlesque artist Anna the Hulagan of Britain performs with her hula hoop during the Odd Night, the second show of the first international Berlin Burlesque Festival in Berlin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The four-day festival including three different evening shows and different workshops hosts some 36 international burlesque artists. less

Burlesque artist Anna the Hulagan of Britain performs with her hula hoop during the Odd Night, the second show of the first international Berlin Burlesque Festival in Berlin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The ... more

The Accordion Girl Natasha Enquist of Canada, center, and the stage kittens Mopsy Meyers, left, and Mama Tigra, right, perform during the Odd Night, the second show of the first international Berlin Burlesque Festival in Berlin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The four-day festival including three different evening shows and different workshops hosts some 36 international burlesque artists. less

The Accordion Girl Natasha Enquist of Canada, center, and the stage kittens Mopsy Meyers, left, and Mama Tigra, right, perform during the Odd Night, the second show of the first international Berlin Burlesque ... more

A Cambodian beggar reaches out where Buddhist followers offer prayers during Pchum Ben, or Ancestors' Day, celebrations at a Buddhist pagoda in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The traditional 15-day festival commemorates the spirits of the dead. less

A Cambodian beggar reaches out where Buddhist followers offer prayers during Pchum Ben, or Ancestors' Day, celebrations at a Buddhist pagoda in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The traditional ... more

A couple lights up lanterns during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The autumn harvest festival, which is a cross between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eight month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its roundest and brightest. less

A couple lights up lanterns during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. The autumn harvest festival, which is a cross between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, is celebrated ... more

Photo: Kin Cheung, AP

A couple lights up lanterns during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival... Photo-5244193.70959 - SFGate

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Mary Goore of the Swedish heavy metal band Ghost B.C., performs during the Rock in Rio music festival, in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The week-long festival will feature a list of headliners including, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden and Bruce Springsteen. less

Mary Goore of the Swedish heavy metal band Ghost B.C., performs during the Rock in Rio music festival, in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The week-long festival will feature a list of headliners ... more

Burlesque artist Minouche von Marabou of Switzerland checks her outfit backstage before the Newcomer Night of the first international Berlin Burlesque Festival in Berlin, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The artists take part in the four-day festival which includes three different evening shows. less

Burlesque artist Minouche von Marabou of Switzerland checks her outfit backstage before the Newcomer Night of the first international Berlin Burlesque Festival in Berlin, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The artists ... more

A woman releases balloons during the Chinese Moon Festival also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival in Paris, on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the Chinese calendar and is marked by Chinese families and friends gathering to eat Chinese mooncakes together. less

A woman releases balloons during the Chinese Moon Festival also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival in Paris, on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of ... more

Artists with painted bodies and tiger masks perform during the annual 'Pulikali' or Tiger Dance in Thrissur, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art revolving around the theme of tiger hunting, performed to entertain people during Onam, an annual harvest festival. less

Artists with painted bodies and tiger masks perform during the annual 'Pulikali' or Tiger Dance in Thrissur, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. Pulikali is a colorful recreational ... more

A full moon rises amidst light decorations, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, a day before the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong. The autumn harvest festival, which is a cross between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its roundest and brightest. less

A full moon rises amidst light decorations, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, a day before the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong. The autumn harvest festival, which is a cross between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, ... more

Devotees watch celebrations to mark the week-long Indra Jatra festival in Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 18. The festival marks the end of the monsoon season and is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Devotees watch celebrations to mark the week-long Indra Jatra festival in Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 18. The festival marks the end of the monsoon season and is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists.

A Hindu devotee arrives on a truck to participate in the immersion of idols of elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha in the River Yamuna in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013. The immersion marks the end of the 10-day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival that celebrates the birth of the Hindu God of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. less

A Hindu devotee arrives on a truck to participate in the immersion of idols of elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha in the River Yamuna in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013. The immersion marks the end of the ... more

Photo: Tsering Topgyal, AP

A Hindu devotee arrives on a truck to participate in the immersion... Photo-5244194.70959 - SFGate

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Young Nepalese girls play while waiting for Kumari Puja at Hanuman Dhoka, Basantapur Durbar Square, Katmandu, Nepal on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013. More than hundred girls under the age of nine gathered for Kumari Puja, a tradition of worshiping young girls as manifestations of the divine female energy. The ritual is a community affair held primarily to save small girls from diseases and bad luck in the years to come. less

Young Nepalese girls play while waiting for Kumari Puja at Hanuman Dhoka, Basantapur Durbar Square, Katmandu, Nepal on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013. More than hundred girls under the age of nine gathered for Kumari ... more

Photo: Niranjan Shrestha, AP

Young Nepalese girls play while waiting for Kumari Puja at Hanuman... Photo-5244207.70959 - SFGate

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Indian devotees prepare to immerse idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Chenab River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Akhnoor, India, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. less

Indian devotees prepare to immerse idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Chenab River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Akhnoor, India, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The festival is ... more

Alicia Keys performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The week-long festival will feature a list of headliners including Muse, Justin Timberlake, Metallica, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. less

Alicia Keys performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The week-long festival will feature a list of headliners including Muse, Justin Timberlake, Metallica, Bon ... more

Photo: Felipe Dana, AP

Alicia Keys performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio... Photo-5244209.70959 - SFGate

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Guitar player Marco Tulio of Brazilian band Jota Quest performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The week-long festival will feature a list of headliners including Muse, Justin Timberlake, Metallica, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. less

Guitar player Marco Tulio of Brazilian band Jota Quest performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The week-long festival will feature a list of headliners ... more

Revelers throw colored powders in the air during the Holi Festival of Colors in Lisbon, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The festival, which is mainly celebrated during the Hindu spring festival Holi in some regions of India and Nepal, has become popular among people in other communities. less

Revelers throw colored powders in the air during the Holi Festival of Colors in Lisbon, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The festival, which is mainly celebrated during the Hindu spring festival Holi in some regions of ... more

Photo: Francisco Seco, AP

Revelers throw colored powders in the air during the Holi Festival... Photo-5244211.70959 - SFGate

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A woman, with her face covered with colored powders, smiles during the Holi Festival of Colors in Lisbon, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The festival, which is mainly celebrated during the Hindu spring festival Holi in some regions of India and Nepal, has become popular among people in other communities. less

A woman, with her face covered with colored powders, smiles during the Holi Festival of Colors in Lisbon, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The festival, which is mainly celebrated during the Hindu spring festival Holi ... more